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Winter in Miami is a perfect time for exploring new areas of the city, taking a drive in the ever so pleasant temperature, and making a day of it. Off we went on a recent Sunday outing up to Sunny Isles for “spa-ing” and a special deal, a look at some of the new supersize condo buildings and their dramatic architecture, and lunch at Il Mulino, an offshoot of the New York restaurant.

Our first destination was Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach, 17875 Collins Avenue (Te.305-918-8000) and the Acqualina Spa at Espa which has a “Winter Glow” experience in January on special. I decided it was well worth a try, and the day would be fashioned around that. If you’re like me, you don’t spend time exfoliating your skin – face and body – and after seeing the softness and glow the treatment induced, I’m convinced to take the time and keep up the regimen. The bottom line on the spa, they do a very good job with the details in the treatments – not only choice of scents but also music – jazz, classical, spa; special mitts to remove the scrub; heated table and towels; lovely teas, and more.

Before the treatment you can try their different water features — crystal steam room, experience shower with cool arctic mist and warm Caribbean storm, Finnish dry heat sauna, private swimming pool and sunning area and heated jet pool. If your partner or friend doesn’t want a spa treatment, he or she can enjoy the water features for a day rate of $40.

The body exfoliation begins with a lightscrub from a cactus brush that not only exfoliates but stimulates circulation. The body polish is an Aloe Vera base with spearmint oil and apricot kernels which have a cooling effect, a perfect counterpoint to the heated table. That’s followed by a five step facial including a skin analysis to determine skin type with facial cleanse, Clarisonic brush cleanse, application of active peel using a 10 or 20% acid concentration depending on skin type. While the peel is working its wonders you get a delicious scalp massage (a fave of the entire treatment), followed by removal of face oil and lymphatic drainage using cooled rose quartz crystals. The finishing touch is an application of ESPA face treatment oil. My face truly glowed as I seldom see it and my skin was so smoothe.

The entire Winter Glow experience is on special this month — $195 for 75 minutes. Each month there’s a different special which it pays to inquire about. In February there are Valentine’s Day offerings including one for couples.

Skin glowing and with just a little eye makeup we went to the onsite restaurant, branch of New York’s Il Mulino. Since it was Sunday there was a weekend jazz brunch, three courses for $39, but we went with the regular menu and chose to sit outside overlooking the pool and beach. We opted for a diner favorite, a totally decadent ravioli ai porcini with champagne truffle cream sauce, worth every single calorie. It was rich and creamy, yet not overpowering, so the flavors came through. Mr. W. ordered the bucatini all’Amatriciana – pancetta, onions, red wine, romano cheese in a tomato sauce which you should not, I repeat, not miss. The pasta was perfectly al dente, appropriately chewy, and the full bodied tomato sauce tasted as if the tomatoes were just picked and made into a sauce that very day. The seasonings just hit it right as well. Pastas really shine here.

For mains we had the English dover sole, very lightly battered and served with a light lemon butter that was very fresh and delicious. The second entrée was a double cut veal chop grilled with sage and garlic, a solid choice.

A word about the vegetables, another area where the restaurant shines. The escarole was outrageously good, and served in an interesting preparation with black olives, garlic and capers . For dessert there are traditional offerings of Italian favorites and the more unusual selection of housemade grappas in flavors including pineapple, coconut, lemon, banana and coconut, served iced.

Service is professional, attentive and friendly. At dinner they do table side preparation of the pastas, sole and caesar salad. Reason enough for a return visit. Lunch Maitre d’ Maurice Bagsit knows his business. Ask for Andre Mocari for your waiter if you go for lunch. He’s excellent.

Pastas can be ordered in half portions starting at $18. Entrees range from $33 to $80 and sides are $15. Portions are well sized so unless you’re very hungry, you’ll do well to share.

Photography by William Oberheiser